Relief and celebration swept through parts of Pretoria North after the long-abandoned former Pigeon Club building, once described by residents as a crime-infested hotspot, was finally demolished.

For many living between Bakenkloof and Jopie Fourie streets near the Noordelikes Rugby Club, the demolition marks the end of a nearly two-year battle to have the vandalised structure removed.

The metro-owned property, situated on municipal land identified as R/46 and Portion 143 of the Farm Wonderboom, had for years been a source of mounting frustration.

Residents repeatedly alleged that the abandoned clubhouse had become a haven for drug use, prostitution, theft, and illegal occupation.

Before the demolition, anger had reached boiling point after the Tshwane metro confirmed there was no urgent plan or formal timeline to secure, rehabilitate or demolish the building.

The metro also indicated that the properties were zoned as Public Open Space and that any redevelopment would need to comply with zoning regulations and budgeting processes.

However, residents strongly disputed those findings, insisting that criminal activity had escalated despite inspections.

Resident Magriet Myburgh was among those who repeatedly raised the alarm before the structure was torn down.

She described the situation as unbearable, citing daily drug use, sexual activity in the open building, stolen infrastructure and a persistent stench of human waste.

Now, following the demolition, Myburgh said she was very happy about the demolition and hopes crime will decrease.

“The only requirement is for council to remove the rubble, otherwise the people will use the material to rebuild their shacks.

“The next step should also be to cut the grass and maintain the area, then visibility is clear and criminals can be spotted easily,” said Myburgh.

She said residents are keeping the fence repaired. However, the criminals continue to damage the fence, and when they see any damage, they fix it.

“We are willing to work with council in keeping our area safe and clean.

“We want to thank the council [for attending] to the matter. It’s just a pity we had to wait so long for assistance and had to suffer so much loss due to them dragging their feet on the matter.”

She mentioned that the council has to understand that residents are paying for services that should be part of their daily tasks and duties.

“What we also have seen with this issue: false information is stated by council, which is totally wrong. Honesty is very important,” she said.

At the time, metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said inspections were conducted in October and November last year.

“Currently, there are no formal timelines that have been established as property development is a long-term process. The metro is urgently looking into developing a plan of action to secure the site,” said Mashigo.

Mashigo further stated at the time that no vagrants were spotted during inspections and that internal departments were working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies.

Another nearby resident, Johan van der Merwe, said the place had become a symbol of neglect.

“We kept reporting what was happening there, but nothing changed. When the demolition finally started, it felt like justice. We are hopeful that this is the beginning of real change for our area.”

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said the decision to demolish the building was not taken lightly but followed years of engagement with council.

“The Pigeon Club was once a place of enjoyment and community spirit. Unfortunately, over many years, it fell into severe disrepair,” he said.

According to Meyer, numerous complaints were received from surrounding residents regarding theft, break-ins and suspicious activity.

He said the building had become extensively vandalised and was no longer a safe or functional community asset.

He added that he had publicly asked whether any organisation or private party would be willing to adopt and rehabilitate the space, but no viable proposals were received.

“With no budget to renovate, no security to protect it, and ongoing criminal activity affecting the surrounding community, a difficult but necessary decision had to be made,” said Meyer.

Pretoria North Police spokesperson Tumisang Moloto previously confirmed that police were aware of the situation and had been conducting patrols in the area.

Moloto said drug dealers and users were being arrested and taken to court, while also indicating that the metro needed to improve site maintenance and security measures.

While the metro had maintained that any demolition or redevelopment required proper assessment and planning processes, many residents believe that the removal of the structure was long overdue.

Van der Merwe said, “We are not against development. We just want our community to feel safe again.”

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